This is the second mosquito sample to test positive in the Coachella Valley this year

Rod Lammers lives in Indio. He says his son Abenet spends his summer days in the pool with friends and helping dad with yard work.

"They're using the pool here a lot and we're outside quite a bit."

The hot and humid conditions are a recipe for mosquito season.

"We've been seeing the rain and clouds. Mosquitoes like that, they'll be out and about longer," said vector ecologist Greg White.

Down the road from Lammers at Madison Street and Avenue 46, the Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District discovered a sample of mosquitoes that tested positive for West Nile virus. The mosquitoes were collected on July 18 and test results came back July 25 from the Center for Vectorborne Diseases at UC Davis. This is the second mosquito sample to test positive in the Coachella Valley this year. Compared with 57 last July, White said this year we're off to a good start.

"I'd be really concerned to think there's some possibility a mosquito bite could be infecting the kids around the area here," said Lammers.

To keep those numbers down, White said vector control is bulking up on traps to reduce the threat to humans.The district says prevention is the only way to fight the bite and stop the virus.

* Apply insect repellent. Use a repellent with DEET* Be aware of peak mosquito hours, dawn and dusk are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities during that time.* Clothing can help reduce mosquito bites. Wear long sleeves, long pants, and socks when outdoors, to help keep mosquitoes away from skin.

Mosquito-Proof Your Home

* Drain standing water. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places for mosquitoes to breed by draining/discarding items that hold water.* Install or repair screens. Keep mosquitoes outside by having tightly fitting screens on all of your windows and doors.

WNV is transmitted to humans and animals, including sentinel chickens, through the bite of an infected mosquito. Most individuals infected with WNV will not experience any illness. Others will have mild symptoms, such as fever, headache and body aches.

Contact the vector control district at 760-342-8287 or 888-343-9399 or online at www.cvmvcd.org to report mosquito problems, and report neglected pools or standing water where mosquitoes breed.

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